Praying with Paul

1 Timothy 4:1-4; 5:24​

Dear Father,
Keep us from paying attention to seducing spirits or doctrines of demons. Don't let the pretensions of those whose consciences are seared invade our lives.
Let us hold that marriage is honorable and not to be forbidden. Let us be free to eat all the foods which you have created as good.
Give us thankful hearts for what you have provided, and may we consecrate what we eat by giving thanks.
Keep from joining into the sins of others, whether...

 

1 Timothy 3:14-16​

Dear Father,
Give us a graciousness by which we shall know how to behave ourselves in your household, the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. Help us so dedicate ourselves individually to the truth that the church at large will be a bastion of truth, and will be known by the world to be what it claims to be.
Keep our focus of truth always on that central mystery of our religion: That Christ was manifested in the flesh, vindicated...

 

1 Timothy 3:1-13​

Dear Father,
Give in whatever measure you please the qualities of elders and deacons to all your people, even to me. Help me desire tasks that are a noble work to you. Help me to live above reproach, to be proper in my family relations, to be temperate, sensible, dignified, hospitable, sober, and gentle.
Help me manage my affairs properly and command the respect of my family and outsiders. Help me serve you well in whatever capacity you allot, that I may gain a...

 

1 Timothy 2:8-14​

Dear Father,
Let the men of your church pray constantly to you, lifting holy hands without quarreling. May your women adorn themselves modestly and sensibly and clothe themselves in good deeds, as befits women who profess religion.
Actually Lord, may both sexes do both of these. Let prayer and good deeds adorn us and fill our lives.
May men and women who are called to follow you relate to each other in perfect submission both to you and to each other.
In the...

 

1 Timothy 2:1-7​

Dear Father, king of nations and peoples,
This is for all people everywhere - We plead for all people because they all need you. We pray for all people because many never talk to you. We intercede for all people because most do not know what to ask. We give thanks for all people for few express gratitude. We thank you for their lives, and we give thanks to you for all that you give them, even though they do not acknowledge you or give thanks to you.
We pray for...

 

1 Timothy 1:16-17​

Dear Father, king of the ages,
Thank you for the cleansing of our sins through Christ. Thank you that you take people who are in outright opposition to your will, as was Saul of Tarsus, and hundreds since him, and bring them up short, rebuke their disobedience, and then enlist them in your own army.
Praise you, God, for making friends of your former enemies. All glory to you for the demonstration of patience made perfect.
Now to you, King of the Ages...

 

1 Timothy 1:3-11, 18-20​

Dear Father,
Keep us from believing any teaching different from that which your genuine apostles taught about our Lord Jesus Christ. Let what they aimed for arise in our hearts: love that issues from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith.
Don't let us take a legalistic approach to our life under you. By the law we can see what not to do, by Jesus we see a real direction for our lives. Let us live by him and for him.
Help us wage a good...

 

1 Timothy 1:12-15​

Dear Father,
Thank you for the strength that you give us to minister to others. We bless you for judging us faithful and for committing talents to us by which we may help others.
In spite of our offenses against you, you show great mercy in overlooking our ignorance and unbelief and by now giving us opportunities and encouragement to serve you.
You have made the graciousness of our Lord Jesus Christ overflow to us in the faith and the love that are available...

 

2 Thessalonians 3:6-15​

Dear Father, God who worked to create all things,
Guide us and empower us to do our work in quietness, to avoid idleness, and to earn our own living. Help us not to grow weary in well-doing.
Help us to follow the example of your emissaries, of Paul and the others, who did not seize some economic advantage from their positions, but worked to provide for their own needs. Help us to encourage and enforce a good work ethic among Christians so that we may be...

 

2 Thessalonians 3:1-5, 16-18​

Dear Father, who hears our prayers,
May all of your people pray earnestly for each other, and especially for your ministers, that your word may speed on and triumph among others, just as it has among us.
Deliver us from wicked and evil people who have no faith in you. Give us deep trust in your faithfulness, that you will strengthen us and guard us from evil. Give us obedient hearts that we may live out the teachings of your word. Direct our hearts...